If you need advice or support right now please contact one of the organisations below. If you are worried about someone else, please visit our Protecting Children and Adults page.
If you’re already using MACS services, you can also talk to your worker about any concerns you have – here are some useful phone numbers. If you’re not getting support from MACS, visit what we do to find out how we can help you.
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Aware
Mental health charity working exclusively for those with depression and bipolar disorder.
08451 20 29 61 (Mon to Fri 9am – 1pm)
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Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond (Emotional Wellbeing Service)
Help with everything from money worries, to coping with stress and isolation, school anxiety, those with health vulnerabilities or disabilities, relationships with parents or family, keeping safe and well during COVID and much more. This service is designed for both children, young people and their families, as well as professionals who would like to discuss concerns for someone.
free helpline (0800 157 7015) (12 - 7pm, Monday to Friday.)
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ChildLine
Need to talk? Whether you’re feeling stressed, anxious, lonely or down — ChildLine counsellors help lots of young people with all sorts of things, like bullying, problems at home and self-harm. Whatever it is, they can help.
0800 1111 (24 hours / freephone)
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Children’s Law Centre
Child-focused and child-friendly legal advice/information for children/young people and their parents/carers and representation service for children/young people at educational tribunals, mental health review tribunals, SENDIST appeals etc.
0808 808 5678 (Freephone)
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Citizens Advice Bureau
Provide advice on citizens rights and entitlements; covering all welfare issues from employment to benefits, housing to debt.
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Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline
Open to all women & men affected by domestic & sexual violence
0808 802 1414 (24 hours / freephone)
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Family Planning Association
Confidential helpline which offers advice across a range of sexual health issues including pregnancy, contraception, and common sexually transmitted infections.
0345 122 8687 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
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Find Help NI
Get connected to support services & helpful organisations in your area using our digital directory. Whether you want help with loneliness, your mental health, the ups and downs of life, financial support, help with your family, your living situation, or anything in between.
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Frank
Friendly, confidential drugs advice. Live chat is available every day from 2-6pm.
0300 123 6600 (24 hours)
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Homelessness Prevention Forum
The Homelessness Prevention Forum provides online training to help equip the general public, private and social landlords as well as frontline workers to better understand the signs and help prevent homelessness. We also provide a platform for external providers to advertise their training.
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Housing Rights
Housing Rights works to improve lives by tackling homelessness and housing problems in Northern Ireland. The operate a daily advice service, helping people in Northern Ireland get to grips with their housing problems.
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LGBT Switchboard NI / Cara-Friend
An information, support, befriending and counselling organisation that operates the Northern Ireland Gay & Lesbian Helpline services for the LGBT community as well as the GLYNI Youth organisation.
0808 8000 390 (Mon to Fri 1 – 4pm & Weds 6 – 9pm)
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Life Law NI
Online information and discussion forum on all legal matters surrounding family life, from the cradle to the grave. Includes information on employment law and family law.
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Lifeline
Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help.
0808 808 8000 (24 hours / freephone)
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MATT
This service is for adults with an emotional or mental health crisis aged 18 and over. It operates in the Belfast and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust areas. Due to COVID-19 social distancing is currently in place and a telephone triage service is operational.
999 or 101 (7pm to 3am on a Friday & Sat night, & Sunday 3pm–11pm)
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Mencap
Independent advice and information service that helps people with a learning disability and their families to understand their rights and find out about services and activities in their area.
0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm)
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Northern Ireland Housing Executive
If you are homeless, or threatened with homelessness, contact NIHE as soon as possible.
During Office Hours: call 03448 920 900
Out of Hours service (Mon-Fri after 5.00pm and weekends) call 03448 920 908
Out of Hours service for Customers with Hearing Difficulties:
If you have hearing difficulties you can communicate using the Next Generation Text service on: 18001 03448 920 90803448 920 900 (Out of hours: mon- fri after 5pm and weekends - 03448 920 908)
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NSPCC
Help and advice on child protection issues and to report child protection concerns.
0808 800 5000 (24 hours)
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Parenting NI Helpline
Support and guidance to parents on parenting issues.
0808 8010 722 (Mon to Thur 9am - 8pm & Fri 9am - 5pm)
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Rainbow Project
The Rainbow Project works to improve the physical, mental & emotional health of gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender people and their families in Northern Ireland.
028 9031 9030 (Mon to Fri 10am – 5.30pm)
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Regional Emergency Social Work Service
Covers all of Northern Ireland. In an emergency, if you are worried about a young person’s safety or welfare, you can contact a Social Worker on 02895 049999.
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Rehab 4 Addiction
Rehab 4 Addiction offers a free helpline providing advice for people seeking drug and alcohol rehab clinics in the UK.
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Samaritans
Talk to Samaritans any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
116 123 (24 hours / freephone)
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Simon Community
Supports individuals and families across NI who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
They will tell you if there are any available beds in hostels within Simon Community.
Home Team 0344 892 09000800 171 2222 (24 hours)
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Supporting students with mental health issues
- A useful overview of ways to support students with mental health issues; full of practical advice, tips, and information.
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- Information to help identify students with mental health problems, academic provisions that can be made, how to empower students, and how to make a positive learning environment.
- Links to other useful and relevant mental health support websites and resources for students, teachers, and counselors. -
The Mix
Essential support for the under 25s. Crisis messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text THEMIX to 85258.
0808 808 4994. ( Sunday to Friday from 2pm to 11pm / freefone)
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UK Addiction Treatment Centres
UK Addiction Treatment Centres is an organisation dedicated to providing the best treatment possible to those struggling with substance abuse and addiction. They currently have multiple rehab locations across the UK aimed offering treatments to anyone suffering from alcohol and drug addiction.
0808 223 2975 (Free 24/7 confidential Helpline)
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Women’s Aid Northern Ireland
Specialist services for women, children & young people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.
0808 802 1414 (24 hours / freephone)
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